The UCLA Bruins (4-2) will play one of their most important out of conference games in some time today, when they take on the legendary Fighting Irish of Notre Dame (5-1) for the first time in 42 years. If UCLA is able to prevail with a road victory over the Irish, rightly or wrongly, the esteem of the Bruin program will be enhanced nationally.

That's what happens when you play on the big stage that is Notre Dame.

For the Bruins to be successful they have to turn around an offense that has been sluggish for most of the season and their highly rated defense will have to play all four quarters.

UCLA can ill afford a fast start by the high powered Notre Dame offense. The Bruin offense up to this date has not shown the capacity for comebacks. When the offense has been effective it has been as a front runner.

The mantra from the players this week has been start fast and finish strong.

All season long Bruin fans have been waiting for the offense show that last year wasn't a fluke and that UCLA is capable of playing tough on both sides of the ball.